Improvement in machines for rolling dry-goods



. J. K. SOMES.

MACHINES FOR ROLLING DRY GOODS.

No. 194,114. Patented Aug.14,1377

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UNITED ST PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN TKFSOIMES, oF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, AssrGNoRTo HIMSELF AND L. R. WAITE, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES .F oR ROLLING onveooos.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No, 194,] 14, dated August 14, 1877; application filed Junee,1s7 7.

To all whom. it may concern.-

Be it known thatI, J. Kim: SoMEs, of Springfield, in the county 'of Hampden, and

in the State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Dry-Goods Rollers and I dohereby declare that the folv Fig. 3 is a front view of a section of the dev1ce. A

My invention is designed for the use of retail dry-goods merchants.

The larger portion of dress goods received by the retail dealers come folded in yard folds, and tied up. On their receipt they are marked with the price they are to be sold for, and

, each piece is unfolded and rolled upon a board in a firm and compact roll, in order to remove wrinkles, and preserve the goods in perfect condition,the goods being measured at the same time, when desired. To do this, the clerk opens the piece, and, placing it on one end of the counter, takes hold of one end of the goods, and draws out several yards along the top of the counter to the other end. He then piles two or three pieces of goods on the piece which he is to roll, in order to give the necessary tension. He then places the board at the end of the goods which he has drawn out, and begins to roll the goods. As he rolls, the goods do not unfold from the original piece, but said piece,together with the pieces piled thereon, is drawn along over the top of the counter to the end where the clerk stands rolling, the weight of the goods piled upon the original piece preventing the unfolding thereof, and giving tension to the goods being rolled, which tension is necessary in order to take out wrinkles, and make the goods roll closely. When the original piece is drawn to the operator he carries it back to the place from which it started, draws out another counter length, replaces the weighting pieces, and continues to roll, dragging the original piece, with its weighting pieces, toward him,

simple, portable, and convenient device which may be placed at any point on the counter when desired for use, without requiring to be attached thereto, by the aid of which this process of rolling the goods may be greatly simplified, and a perfect tension secured for pro d'ucing a compact roll.

The invention consists of a frame or of brackets attached to a base or bed, and supporting a pair of rolls, so arranged that the goods pass forward over the rolls, back, and under the base, said frame being provided with downwardly-projecting arms, which project over the edge and press against the side of the counter. Both the base and its arms are provided'with rubber strips or shoes, to give the necessary friction to hold the device in place without other fastening. The whole constitutes a portable device, which may be carried about at will, and placed at any point on the counter or table where wanted, and used without further adjustment than the placing of it in position, and without fastenings, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The same letters of reference are used in all the figures in the designation of identical parts.

A in the drawings represents the brackets or frame attached to the base D, and provided with the downwardly-projecting arms A, which project over-the edge of the counter, and prevent the device from sliding forward as the goods are drawn through it.

The brackets A support the main roller B and the smaller roller or bar 0. The brackets A are provided with inwardly-projecting lips or flanges b, just above the base board D. These lips serve to hold the parts more firmly together, and keep the base from warping.

The roller B is provided with metal caps having pins orstems, and is removable from the frame at will alter the manner of a shaderoller. The stem on one end is set into the socket a, and the stem on the other end is dropped into the open bearing a. The edge of the base board D is rounded, as shown. This board rests flatly over the counter, being slightly raised therefrom by rubber or felt strips f, which are placed at each end on the under side, leaving a space, d, for the cloth to pass under the board. The inner surface of the arms A are also faced with rubber. These rubber strips prevent the machinefrom scratching or marring the counter, and add friction, which helps to keep the machine stationary.

Gr represents the counter or table on which the machine is placed when in use. The machine when in use is placed on one side of the counter, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the goods to be rolled are placed on a stool or a paper on the floor near by. The goods are then drawn up and forward over the rolls (3 and B, and passed back under the same to the inner edge of the base board D. The machine is then lifted, and the goods drawn under said base D. The clerk then takes the board, on which the goods are to be rolled, and begins to roll at the opposite side of the counter, being enabled to proceed continuously, without changing position, until the rolling of the piece is completed. The passage of the goods through the machine removes wrinkles, and secnres'a perfect tension forp'roducing a compact roll. As the goods are drawn through the machine the latter'is firmly held to the counter.

In taking account of stock, as is generally done twice a year, each piece has to be unrolled, measured, and rolled up again. My invention is very useful at such times.

The base D may be made solid, as shown, or in skeleton form.

What is claimed as the invention is- 1. A portable device for aiding in the rolling or folding of dry-goods, consisting of a frame supporting rollers or bars, in combination with arms projecting downward over the edge of the counter, the said rollers and arms being arranged as described, whereby the web of cloth, in passing through the device, holds the same to the counter, substantially as described.

2. A device for aiding in the rolling or'folding of dry goods, consisting of a base, D, brackets or frame A, and rollers B G, the said base being slightly raised from the table, whereby the, cloth which is passed forward over the rollers, turned back, and passed under the base, is subjected to the requisite tension, substantially as described.

Witnesses FEED SEFTON, GUSTAVUS ABBOTT.

,JOHN KIRK SOMES. I 

